Sunday, January 18, 2015

D6SN Boys Basketball Rankings: Week Eight

AAA

1. Hollidaysburg 8-5

The Golden Tigers had a nice week with a 2-1 mark. Their two wins came over AAAA schools Altoona and Gettysburg, and their lone loss was to AAAA Gettysburg. They have asserted themselves as the clear favorites in AAA and a lot of it has to do with some of the tougher games on their schedule. They have just one game this week, as they head to Johnstown to take on Richland High School.

2. Somerset 9-2

Somerset is right on the heels of Hollidaysburg, and they are really starting to hit their stride recently. The Golden Eagles had a convincing 4-0 week, and they will be busy again this week. Somerset will travel to Cambria Heights and Forest Hills and they also host Central Cambria. The three games can give Somerset an opportunity to move to 8-1 in the Laurel Highlands.

3. Johnstown 10-3

Johnstown narrowly escaped with a 66-63 win over Westmont to improve to 10-3 overall. Johnstown will host Altoona and Bishop Guilfoyle this week, while mixing a game at Cambria Heights in between. The Trojans have only played three games since December 27, but the schedule should start to pick it up here soon.

D6 AA

1. Tyrone 11-1

With a Blairsville loss and a two win week, Tyrone climbs to our new number one team this week. They have a trio of home games ahead this week with Westmont, Philipsburg-Osceola, and Central coming to town. If Tyrone handles business, they should be 14-1 after this week.

2. West Branch 12-1

The Warriors also leapfrog Blairsville with a two win week. West Branch really showed some fire power by combing for 189 points in their two games last week. They will look to keep the offense rolling with home games against Curwensville, Moshannon Valley, and Williamsburg this week.

3. Blairsville 11-3

Blairsville lost to Homer Center by 5 on the road, and realistically I think they still may be the team to beat this season. The Bobcats have three losses by 9 points total to three teams that may win their respective district championships. They have a road game at United and host a pretty good saltsburg team, but the Bobcats should move to 13-3.

4. Penns Valley 9-3

Penns Valley dropped a close one to Tyrone in their only game last week by a score of 52-50. They sit at an impressive 9-3 this season, and will welcome Mifflin County and Bald Eagle to town this week.

5. Penn Cambria 9-5

Penn Cambria climbs into the rankings after they have won four games in a row. The Panthers have a tough home game with Westmont and must travel to Bedford this week, and they will both to remain in the rankings.

D5 AA

1. Berlin-Brothersvalley 8-3

Berlin hops back into the top spot with a pair of wins this past week. The Mountaineers survived a late comeback from McCort on Saturday to hang on to a one point win. Berlin will head to CHestnut Ridge in a big game Saturday night.

2. Tussey Mountain 6-6

The Titans had a nice week which was capped off by a narrow victory over Chestnut Ridge decided in the final seconds of the game. They also handled Southern Huntingdon and took a good Southern Fulton to to the final seconds. Tussey Mountain has road games at Forbes Road and Williamsburg before a home game against rivals, Nothern Bedford.

3. Chestnut Ridge 8-3

Chestnut Ridge lost a heartbreaker to Tussey Mountain, but the Lions are still in good shape and they have an opportunity for a statement week. They have a showdown with top ranked Berlin on Saturday night in a game with major implications for playoff seeding.

D6 A

1. Bishop Carroll 13-1

Bishop Carroll had two wins over Cambria Heights and Forest Hills, and should have two more wins on the horizon this week with a home game against Bedford and a trip to struggling Bishop McCort.

2. Homer Center 12-1

Homer Center lost their opening game by two points, since then, they have reeled off 12 straight victories. The Wildcats had a big win this week over rivals, Blairsville by five points to assume sole possession of first place in the Heritage.

3. Portage 9-2

Portage has run off three straight wins to improve to 9-2 on the year. They will have a chance to be 11-1 heading into a big game with Shanksville on Saturday night.

4. Bishop Guilfoyle 6-5

The Marauders had a rough week dropping two road games by double digits. They have road games with Central and Johnstown coming up, and a home game with McCort.

5. Saltsburg 9-5

The Trojans came up with two convincing wins this week to extend their record to 9-5. They have a home game with Purchase Line before a big game at Blairsville on Thursday.

D5 A

1. Southern Fulton 12-1

The Indians scored a close win over Tussey Mountain before handling McConnellsburg. By virtue of those two wins and a Shanksville loss, I have Southern Fulton ranked first this week. They play Northern Bedford and travel to Forbes Road this week.

2. Shanksville-Stonycreek 10-1

The Vikings played AAA Somerset tough, but ultimately lost their first game of the season. Still, Shanksville definitely validated themselves as a really good team, and one that can make noise this season. They have one game this week, and that's a trip to 9-2 Portage.

3. McConnellsburg 9-1

The Spartans took care of Northern Bedford, but had a humbling defeat to Southern Fulton. They have two road games this week at Everett and Fannett-Metal and will look to get back on track.